Pistols

If you’re carrying a slow-firing sniper rifle or grenadier weapon, equipping a pistol is highly recommended. A pistol gives you more versatility when engaging enemy Pilots and minions. Stow your primary weapon and keep your pistol equipped when moving around the map, using it to take down enemies you encounter along the way. Like the primary weapons, each pistol has two mod slots. But there are no optic attachments.

Hammond P2016

Field Notes

The Hammond P2011 is by far the most versatile pistol out of the bunch. This is a standard semi-automatic pistol with solid accuracy and surprising damage potential. Consider equipping the Hammond when carrying a shotgun. The pistol’s accuracy and performance at range is far better than the EVA-8 Auto or Mastiff.

At close range, the Hammond performs well when fired from the hip. Spam the trigger to fire off round after round into Pilots and minions. But for better accuracy, take aim, using the weapon’s iron sights to score precision headshots. The Hammond can kill grunts with a single headshot, but you’ll need at least two headshots shot to drop enemy Pilots, Spectres, and Stalkers.

If you don’t want to give away your position on the minimap, opt for the Suppressor mod. This essentially silences the weapon, allowing you to stealthily roam the map. Round out the pistol with the Extra Ammo or Speedloader mods. Quick Swap is another decent option, especially if you’re constantly switching between your primary and secondary.

SA-3 Mozambique

Field Notes

The Mozambique is essentially a pocket-sized shotgun, capable of one-shot kills at close range. But like any shotgun, the weapon is far less effective at ranges exceeding ten meters. As a result, the Mozambique is best deployed when you’re moving through interiors and other confined spaces.

The weapon’s impressive damage output makes it a formidable option for taking out unsuspecting enemy Pilots. But the Mozambique is far less impressive during toe-to-toe Pilot duels, due to its slow rate of fire and limited ammo capacity. With only four shots per magazine, the weapon is also poorly suited for taking on large groups of minions. During such situations, this is a true backup weapons. Only draw it when your primary weapon is out of ammo.

Given the Mozambique’s limited magazine capacity, it’s strongly advised to equip the Extra Ammo mod. The stock weapon exhibits a surprisingly fast reload time, so the Speedloader mod isn’t essential. Instead, consider choosing the Quick Swap mod to facilitate quicker weapon transitions.

RE-45 Auto

Field Notes

A favorite from Titanfall, the RE-45 Auto Pistol is best utilized purely as a backup when your primary weapon is out of ammo. Switching to your sidearm is always faster than reloading your primary. Due to its high rate of fire, it’s easy to drop nearby threats with a quick burst, particularly if they’re already injured or damaged. The weapon serves as a good complement to slow-firing, low-magazine-capacity weapons, like the Kraber-AP Sniper Rifle.

Don’t try to hunt Pilots with this weapon unless you have the jump on your prey. While the RE-45 boasts a high rate of fire, it trails far behind in all other categories, putting you at a serious disadvantage while engaging enemy Pilots. That being said, the RE-45 is more than capable of finishing off an injured Pilot at close range. In this sense, the RE-45 is great for ending fights. Just don’t start one with it. At close range the RE-45 can tear through grunts at a rapid pace. However, exercise caution when engaging Spectres and Stalkers. They take a considerable amount of damage before dropping, exposing you to potentially deadly return fire.

Attaching the Suppressor mod to this weapon makes it a formidable silent killer, keeping you off the minimap when firing. This makes it easier to get the jump on enemy Pilots, particularly those firing sniper rifles and anti-Titan weapons from fixed positions. Add the Extra Ammo mod to increase the weapon’s already adequate magazine capacity.

B3 Wingman

Field Notes

Also returning from Titanfall, the Wingman is six-shot revolver, sacrificing accuracy and rate of fire for damage. The pistol’s major drawback is its small magazine and slower rate of fire. Consider equipping this sidearm when carrying a short-range primary weapon, like an SMG or shotgun. You’ll appreciate the range and accuracy of the Wingman even more.

The Wingman only requires two shots to the body or one to head to kill an enemy Pilot. If you can become accurate with this weapon, it is a beastly sidearm. When fighting minions, keep your distance and pick off the minions at a longer range, scoring headshots. Grunts can be killed with a single shot, but you’ll need to put several rounds into Spectres and Stalkers.

Obviously, the Wingman benefits greatly from the Extra Ammo mod, increasing the weapon’s magazine capacity. Since the Wingman should only be deployed as a backup, choose the Quick Swap mod to decrease the time it takes to switch weapons. If you become proficient with the Wingman, attach the Suppressor mod and use it to silently assassinate enemy Pilots.